Staying Safe in 2019: New Year’s Resolutions Done Right

Posted By Todd Miner Law || Feb 6, 2019

Whether you’re big on making New Year’s resolutions or not, you’re probably aware they don’t always work. In fact, statistics from sources like U.S. News suggest an estimated 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. That’s not a pretty picture, and it speaks to the difficultly of consistent and committed effort – whether it’s a pledge to eat healthy, save money, or many other plans for positive change

While the numbers aren’t so reassuring, there is a lot of research about why so many resolutions seem to fail. Although the reasons are varied and unique – much like matters of the law – experts cite the need for resolve and motivation as a major factor in helping goals materialize. They also note the need for making smaller, more achievable goals.

Consider These Safety-Related Resolutions

As you begin a New Year, or even if you somehow stumble upon this blog at some other time of year, our legal team at Todd Miner Law encourages you to consider a few safety-related resolutions. As we know from our years representing injured victims across Orlando and the state of Florida, no one is ever prepared for an unexpected accident. However, certain steps, safety measures, and “best practices” can ensure you are better equipped if and when they do occur.

Below are a few safety goals to consider this year:

Evaluate your insurance coverage – Accidents happen, and statistics show they occur in all types of ways, nearly all the time. Whether they happen to you may not be something you can predict, but accidents are something for which you can prepare. That’s especially true when it comes to your insurance coverage, be it your health, home, or auto insurance. Take some time to review and evaluate your policies to ensure they are current and aligned with any changing circumstances of late. It can make the difference when it matters most.

Give auto coverage some extra thought – Auto accidents remain a leading cause of injury and death in the U.S., which is why it’s so crucially important to review your auto insurance and ensure you have adequate coverage, not only in terms of liability for property damage you may cause, but also damages that could happen to you. As a no-fault state, Florida requires motorists to carry a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, which provides money (up to a limit) if you are injured in a wreck, no matter who is at fault, and in addition to (as well as before) any personal injury recovery you may be entitled to recover. In addition to evaluating PIP coverage, drivers should also consider uninsured and underinsured (UM / UIM) coverage. With Florida having the lowest rates of insured drivers and some of the highest rates of hit-and-run accidents in the nation (as we discussed on a recent blog), this type of coverage can be especially important, and can make the difference if you’re ever hurt by a driver without insurance, or enough coverage to cover all of your damages.

Preventative maintenance – Ensuring your covered in the event of a car accident is important, but so is taking steps to minimize the chances of a wreck occurring in the first place. One simple and achievable way to do this is by taking your vehicle for regular, preventative maintenance. Whether your car is accumulating higher miles or is new, a qualified mechanic can ensure its essentials are in proper working order, and help you address any safety issues. Preventative maintenance can also become a part of other aspects of your life, from your bicycle to your home. Simple additions like a fire extinguisher or smoke alarm, or tasks such as clearing potential hazards from your home can go a long way in reducing risks – both for injuries to you and your loved ones, or even injuries that may implicate premises liability.

Pay attention to recalls – Now’s a good time to take your vehicle in for any recall repairs if you haven’t done so already. Given the numerous recalls that occur each year, and the many which result in serious injuries, it’s also important to understand how you can make yourself aware of recalls for products or vehicles you own. This may involve ensuring a correct address for recall notices, paying attention to news about dangerous recalls, or even visiting online resources such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall list or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s VIN recall lookup tool to ensure your on top of any potentially defective products or auto parts.

Make the pledge to avoid distracted driving – There is a New Year’s resolution worth mentioning every year, and that’s the goal to avoid distracted driving. According to NHTSA, distracted driving claimed nearly 3,500 lives in 2016 and injured numerous others. You can become a part of the solution by making the pledge to drive distraction free with programs like It Can Wait. You can also the pledge to avoid texting, cell phone use, and other dangerous forms of multi-tasking behind the wheel something you, your friends, and family can participate in, especially if you have a teen or young adult driver in your home.

Injured in Orlando? Todd Miner Law is Here to Help.

It’s an unfortunate reality that even when the most conscientious of people stick to their safety-resolutions, they can still suffer harm due to the negligent and wrongful acts of others. As such, it’s also important to know where to turn when you or someone you love suffers preventable harm.

At Todd Miner Law, our Orlando personal injury lawyers have dedicated themselves to protecting the rights of victims and families in all types of cases across Florida. Our firm is also led by Todd Miner, a former prosecutor and former insurance company attorney who knows how these cases work. If you’re ever in need of proven representation following an auto accident, workplace injury, or any other preventable accident, we’re readily available to review your case free of charge. As personal injury lawyers, we also don’t charge up-front fees for our services, and only get paid when a successful recovery is made in your case. You can contact us online or call (407) 269-5877 to learn more.